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Just got a Nikon D70- any other suggestions?

F

faenix

Platinum Member
I recently got into photography and spent a lot of time with my N80 and 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. After spending countless hours in the darkroom, I wanted a DSLR for normal use. I want to join my college's publication photo staff also.

I know I could've gotten other things for much cheaper but Wash U gave me a full ride + $3k extra to spend a year.

Nikon D70 ($850)
Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 ED AFS DX ($1200)
Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 ($100)
Crumpler Tall-E Bag ($80)
Lexar 1GB 80X CF ($90)

What do you guys suggest should be my next lens? I'm going to take more classes this summer and pursue my wallet-eating hobby. A 80-200 f/2.8 ED AFS VR looks nice but I'd like other suggestions.

Thanks!
 
the 70-200 VR Nikkor is awesome I have it. It's also a humongoid beast too. Imo, get that and a 1.4x teleconvertor and you have some pretty long range.
 
Originally posted by: BaboonGuy
Unrelated question (sorry OP): when is the D2x coming out?
Click to expand...


quoted from ritzcamera

e are Happy to offer the Nikon D2X Professional Digital SLR Camera for Sale Today!

By placing your D2X Professional Digital SLR Camera order today, you can firmly establish your place in line for this exciting new product. Nikon expects to begin shipping the D2X in February 2005
# Our orders are always filled in the order that they are placed, and your credit card will not be charged until your order has shipped.

Order today and be the first to get this exciting new item!
 
d70
28-70 f2.8 tamron
kit lens
70-200 VR
70-200 really light, cheap zoom
2gb sandisk ultra II
bogen tripod 3021b

That's all I can remember for now, it's late 🙁
 
Originally posted by: BaboonGuy
d70
28-70 f2.8 tamron
kit lens
70-200 VR
70-200 really light, cheap zoom
2gb sandisk ultra II
bogen tripod 3021b

That's all I can remember for now, it's late 🙁
Click to expand...


I'm also planning to get a bogen manfrotto 3021. What's the diff between B and N?

How is the 28-70 tamron?
 
Holy crap, 17-55 2.8 is your first lens? Hot damn! Enjoy 😀

It really depends on what you're into. If you want a lens with more reach, either the 80-200 AF-S or 70-200 AF-S VR are great lenses. Big though so I dunno if you'd wanna carry em around. I have a 180 2.8 for when I need the reach. Shot these last week with the 180.

#1
#2

If you want to go wide, Tokina just came out with a 12-24 for around $500, saves you a lot compared to the Nikkor. For portrait the 50 1.8 is good for half-body. The 85 1.4 is legendary for full-body portrait shots, 105 2.0 isn't bad either.

Personally if I were you, I'd invest in a nice tripod and some lighting. Buy right and they'll last you longer than the camera.

Best thing to do is chat it up with other photo aficionados:
DPReview for gearhead advice
FredMiranda for actual photo advice
Nikonians for errr, Nikon advice

Anyways you have some great gear to start off with. Don't listen to the other guys, just go out and shoot with the D70, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Good luck and be sure to post some pics.
 
Originally posted by: faenix
Originally posted by: BaboonGuy
d70
28-70 f2.8 tamron
kit lens
70-200 VR
70-200 really light, cheap zoom
2gb sandisk ultra II
bogen tripod 3021b

That's all I can remember for now, it's late 🙁
Click to expand...


I'm also planning to get a bogen manfrotto 3021. What's the diff between B and N?

How is the 28-70 tamron?
Click to expand...

I completely forget the difference 🙁 check out nikonians.org

The 28-70 tamron is nice, real sharp, but the 28 focal is a b*tch sometimes. Kind of small for a 2.8 too
 
Yeap, I frequent Nikonians and FM (although FM seems to be Canon overrun)

17-55 is my third lens, 28-80 3.3-5.6 bought off Anubis on ATOT, 28-105 3.5-4.5 and now this.

I know some people may jump on me for buying such an expensive lens, but I saw no alternative, and if I was going to upgrade in the future, why not get it now? (Maybe its just be rationalizing)

I had a tough time choosing between the 28-70 and the 17-55 but I chose the latter for its wide angle capabilities.

Should I get the 85 1.8 for portraits? With the 1.5x factor it comes out to 127.5mm, will it still be good? My 50mm (75mm with 1.5) seems a tad bit too short.
 
Originally posted by: faenix
Originally posted by: BaboonGuy
d70
28-70 f2.8 tamron
kit lens
70-200 VR
70-200 really light, cheap zoom
2gb sandisk ultra II
bogen tripod 3021b

That's all I can remember for now, it's late 🙁
Click to expand...


I'm also planning to get a bogen manfrotto 3021. What's the diff between B and N?

How is the 28-70 tamron?
Click to expand...

B is black, just tells you what color it is (no B is silver). N is non-pro version, meaning it doesn't come with the lateral mount for the center column (not an issue if you don't plan on doing straight down macro shots). The 3021 is solid and sturdy but heavy and big, are you sure you want to carry something that big around?

And give some serious thought into investing in a quality ballhead and QR plates (make sure it's Arca-Swiss compatible). Kirk, Really Right Stuff, and Acratech are worth a look.
 
Ya unless you are real burly don't get the 3021. I wish I got a different one myself, and will probably upgrade to some sort of Gitzo later. $1000 for a tripod sounds crazy but worth it
 
Originally posted by: faenix
Yeap, I frequent Nikonians and FM (although FM seems to be Canon overrun)

17-55 is my third lens, 28-80 3.3-5.6 bought off Anubis on ATOT, 28-105 3.5-4.5 and now this.

I know some people may jump on me for buying such an expensive lens, but I saw no alternative, and if I was going to upgrade in the future, why not get it now? (Maybe its just be rationalizing)

I had a tough time choosing between the 28-70 and the 17-55 but I chose the latter for its wide angle capabilities.

Should I get the 85 1.8 for portraits? With the 1.5x factor it comes out to 127.5mm, will it still be good? My 50mm (75mm with 1.5) seems a tad bit too short.
Click to expand...

People buy the 85 1.4 for the bokeh and build quality. It's the same reason people go with the 17-55 over the 18-70 kit lens (well, besides the extra stop). If you're serious then go for the 85 1.4.

I'd suggest buying the 85 1.8 used and trying it out. If the focal length and bokeh work for you then cool. If not, sell it on ebay or whatever and upgrade.
 
Can you suggest any other tripods that are lighter and easier to carry around? I'm going to visit BH soon but I'd rather be informed before walking in.

Asking in Nikonians, it seemed as if any other tripod besides Bogen Manfrotto and Gitzo weren't of good quality. I'm sure that's not the case but eh what do I know. 😛
 
Originally posted by: BaboonGuy
Ya unless you are real burly don't get the 3021. I wish I got a different one myself, and will probably upgrade to some sort of Gitzo later. $1000 for a tripod sounds crazy but worth it
Click to expand...

Err, I could see $700-$800 for legs + head, but not $1000 for legs alone.

Some cheaper CF alternatives:
Velbon 530 (ditch the head)
Slik Pro 713
Giottos MT-8160

Reviews/opinions on these are a little tougher to find but I haven't read anything bad about them.

Of the 3, the Velbon from Amazon is the best deal. You get $30 back in an Amazon GC for a $250 purchase, plus you get a cheapy head you can throw onto a big heavy tripod for indoor/studio work later.
 
I wish I have your funds 🙂

I prefer 85mm f/1.8 to 50mm because I like tight headshots and the working distance.
50mm is just too in your face for headshots. I also prefer 85mm OOF rendition to 50mm.

If you can wait a little more until mid february, you can see if Nikon will release some new lenses that you might be interested in. Maybe 85mm f/1.4 AF-S ?
 
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